The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-07-23
" A DAISY. "
An Incident, of the Ranch on the
Divide.

The ranch was not large, nor particularly
noticeable, as ranches go, but its situation
was splendid. The road from the valley of
the Platte to that of La Fontaine Qui Bou-
lille crossed the Divide, or ridge; and, Just
overit and sheltered by it from the north
ern winds, were the ranch-house, sheds
and corrals. AT the west, one saw the foot
hills and glimpses of the great peaks be-
hind them; and, not far from the house
opened canyon between whose steep and
verdure-clad walls ran clear and a rapid
stream, chatting in its restricted channel.
and seeming impatient to bestow the largest
of its beneficent and priceless waters upon
The arid plains stretching far to the east
ward. Looking to the south again one saw
The rolling country rising at intervals into
mesas and dotted with scanty groves of
trees.
, The sun had passed beyond the range,
above which rose wealth of clouds of airy
texture and gorgeous colors; and the edge
of the shadow in which the ranch Law could
be seen creeping steadily over the buffalo
grass toward the eastern horizon Con-
verging toward the house came parties
from the four points Of the compass; and.
awaiting them, and standing on the door
STEP looking first in one direction and then
nm another, was quaint and curious youth
full specimen of that alien race which has
had so sorry a reception on our shores, the
Chinese.
J Als sharp, almond-shaped eyes caught a
glimpse of the great flock of sheep the mo-
ment they surmounted the Slight elevation
over which he had often seen the sun rise;
and, with the two watchful Mexican herd
ers behind them, they came straight to-
ward the water troughs. These same eyes
saw Uncle Jim Boyle, as he tramped slowly
and deliberately down the sioping side of
the nearest mesa at the south, and even
caught the smoke of his pipe rising in the
clear air All Fong knew that Uncle Jim
had promised to slcepa the ranch while its
master was absent and, having profound
respect Tor the strength and prowess of
this redoubtable frontiersman, he thought
the arrangement excellent. Then ne saw
the pretty bit of color which Fanny Car
rolls dress made against the dark back
ground of the CANYON wall, as she climbed
over the rock at its mouth: and the tassels
of silver thread on the cord around the
crown of young Sam Ruxton's sombrero as
he assiduously helped her, holding her little
hand perhaps somewhat longer than was
necessary. This made something as near a
mile show itself on All Fong,s face as was
ever seen on those cmotionless features
\ When, however, the Chinese boy again
walked to the rear of tho house and CHANGED
TO look to the northward, he stopped and
gazed intently at two men who were com
ing over the ridge. He stood perfectly
still for some time and then, making his
way quietly toward rude out-building,
concealed himself therein.
Farther and farther crept the line Of
shadow to the eastward nearer and nearer
the ranch came the different parties. At
last the herders shut the bars OF the corral
behind the last of the bleating sheep, and,
unslinging their canteens, began pumping
water for their charges. Uncle Jim BOYLE
mounted the steps Of the rude piazza with
a firm and heavy tread, and the two young
people-she swinging her large straw hat
by its ribbons, and he walking decorously at
her side-came round the corner of the
shed.
Every body on the Divide took an earnest
interest in Fanny Carroll When her
father, old Tom Carroll, up at Georgetown
made his great strike, and sold out to the
eager slender feet,n there was general
sentiment of satisfaction; for Tom had
worked faithfully, and had plenty of hard
luck and was good fellow through it all
When, too, he came into possession Of a
solid bank account, he behaved particularly
well; declined to be interviewed, - bought
no diamond pins, extended liberal help to
some old ''pards'' whose luck had deserted
them, and, as the BOYS expressed it, want
stuck up and didn't 60 back on 'em."
Miss Fanny was sent to an Eastern SEM
inary, whence she had returned as accom-
plished and pretty and refined and well
dressed as heart could desire. When she
came down to the Divide 70 make visit at
the ranch, it was unanimously decided by
the population of that region that she '.just
everlastingly laid over' any thing from the
~. p. down to New Mexico. She was in
deed a charming girl by any standard, and,
with her chestnut-brown hair and maaog-
any-colored eyes, and 1.-the, slender figure,
would have attracted attention anywhere.